细枝末节 (xì zhī mò jiē) — minor details; trivial matters; nonessentials

Definition

A chengyu for trivial details that distract from the main point — 'nitpicking the small stuff while missing the big picture.' Often used as 注重/不要在意/别总盯着 细枝末节.

idiom
minor detailstrivial mattersnonessentials

Examples

  • 细枝末节，。
    Bié zǒng dīng zhe xì zhī mò jiē, xiān kàn kàn zhěng tǐ fāng àn.
    Don't always focus on minor details—first look at the overall plan.
  • ，细枝末节。
    Gōng zuò huì bào yào tū chū zhòng diǎn, shǎo tán xì zhī mò jiē.
    Work reports should highlight the key points and talk less about trivial matters.
  • 细枝末节，。
    Tā tài zài yì xì zhī mò jiē, fǎn ér hū lüè le zhǔ yào wèn tí.
    He cares too much about nonessentials and instead overlooks the main issue.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

细枝thin branches
细xìthin枝zhībranch
偏正Modifier + head
末节small joints
末mòtip节jiéjoint
偏正Modifier + head

“细枝” (thin branches) and “末节” (small joints) together describe trivial details.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 細; 细 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
囟
囟xìn細xì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 細 pairs 糸, silk or thread, with 囟 for the sound. The simplified 细 is a later shorthand, and the old right part changed shape.

Open 细 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
支
支zhī枝zhī
Same sound today

枝 shows 木 (tree) beside 支, which gives the sound.

Open 枝 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

末 adds a mark at the top of a tree-like shape to show its tip or end.

Open 末 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 節; 节 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺮Written in full as竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
即
即jí節jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 節 pairs ⺮ (bamboo) with 即, which gives the sound; the bamboo part points to a node of bamboo. The simplified 节 is a later abbreviation.

Open 节 →

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